The Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour & Social Affairs announced it is cancelling its permanent committee charged with labour recruitment and replacing it with an electronic system, starting next year.

The new initiative comes as a result of a meeting HE the Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani had with the chairpersons of companies listed at Qatar Exchange, Qatar News Agency (QNA) said. The meeting among other things discussed easing the restriction and procedures of recruitment of workers by the private sector.

According to a statement issued by the ministry, the necessary software is being developed to handle employers' requests to recruit new employees. The programme will deal with the entire process, starting from submitting the application to getting the approval of the required nationalities.

The electronic system, besides speeding up the process of recruitment will enhance transparency and is in line with the ministry's strategy to increase online services, the statement said.

"This would be through adopting clear mechanisms and standards for the employer regarding granting approvals on the requested nationalities and avoid repetition of submitted transactions," the statement added.

A report commissioned by Qatar Foundation had recommended an overhaul of the process of recruiting blue collar workers to the country.

It said the system of recruiting and hiring semi- and unskilled expats to work in Qatar is riddled with problems, many of which begin with the recruitment process in their home countries.